El impacto silencioso de la rinitis sobre la vía aérea inferior / The silent correlate of rhinitis on lower airway

Resumen El aparato respiratorio, desde la nariz al pulmón, se comporta como una unidad anatómica y fisiopatológica bajo un modelo holístico. Se han observado alteraciones pulmonares sin traducción clínica en pacientes con rinitis sin asma, que se manifiestan como hiperreac tividad bronquial, reducción de la función pulmonar e inflamación bronquial. Estas serían consecuencia de un fenómeno inflamatorio sistémico con impacto simultá neo en nariz y pulmón, que por razones desconocidas no tiene una expresión clínica completa, pero que podrían significar un mayor riesgo de desarrollo de asma. En esta revisión abordamos la frecuencia y caracte rísticas de las anormalidades pulmonares existentes en niños y adolescentes con rinitis crónica derivadas de nuestras investigaciones previas y, más recientemente, del proyecto "Enfermedad Alérgica Respiratoria: El Con cepto de Unidad de la Vía Aérea", línea de investigación acreditada por la Universidad Católica de Córdoba y un análisis comparativo con las evidencias aportadas por otros autores en la literatura médica.

Abstract The respiratory tract, from the nose to the lung, behaves as an anatomical and pathophysiological unit under a holistic model. Lower airway abnormalities, such as bronchial hyperresponsiveness, reduced lung function and inflammation of the bronchial mucosa without clinical expression, have been observed in pa tients with rhinitis without asthma. These would be the consequence of a common systemic inflammatory phenomenon with simultaneous impact on the nose and lung. For unknown reasons, these patients do not exhibit a full clinical expression, which could mean an increased risk of developing asthma. In this review we address the frequency and charac teristics of existing pulmonary abnormalities in children and adolescents with chronic rhinitis that derive from our previous research and, more recently, within the project "Allergic Respiratory Disease: The United Airway Con cept" supported by the Universidad Católica de Córdoba, and a comparative analysis with the evidence provided by other authors in the medical literature.

Salivary cytokine profile in patients with oral lichen planus / Perfil de citoquinas salivales en pacientes con liquen plano oral

Abstract This study aimed to determine salivary concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-10, IL- 23, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, nitrate (a by-product of nitric oxide oxidation), and cortisol in patients with oral lichen planus (OLP). Twenty patients diagnosed with OLP and 20 sex-matched healthy volunteers (HV) were included in this cross-sectional study. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected in the morning. Salivary cytokine and cortisol concentrations were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Nitrate was measured in a nitric oxide analyzer. We found higher salivary concentrations of IL-2 (p<0.003), IL-23 ( p<0.04), and TGF-β (p=0.05) in patients with OLP compared to HV. No significant differences were found in salivary levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, or IL-10. Nitrate concentrations were markedly increased in OLP patients (1,227.0 ± 738.8 µM/mg total protein) when compared to HV (261.6 ± 166.8 µM/mg; p<0.0001). Salivary cortisol levels were also higher in OLP patients (2.79 ± 1.39 vs. 1.94 ±1.21 ng/mg; p<0.048). The markedly increased salivary levels of nitric oxide in patients with OLP suggest a relationship of this molecule with the cell death and tissue damage observed in these lesions.

Resumen Este estudio tuvo como objetivo determinar las concentraciones salivales de interleucina (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-10, IL-23, factor de crecimiento transformante (TGF)-β y factor de necrosis tumoral (TNF)-α, nitrato (subproducto de la oxidación del óxido nítrico) y cortisol en pacientes con liquen plano oral (OLP). En este estudio transversal se incluyeron veinte pacientes diagnosticados con OLP y 20 voluntarios sanos (HV) del mismo sexo. Saliva entera no estimulada Se recolectó por la mañana, se determinaron las concentraciones de citocinas y cortisol en saliva mediante ensayo inmunoabsorbente ligado a enzimas (ELISA), se determinó nitrato mediante un analizador de óxido nítrico, se encontraron concentraciones salivales mayores de IL-2 (p<0,003), IL- 23 (p<0,04) y TGF-β (p=0,05) en pacientes con OLP en comparación con HV. No se encontraron diferencias significativas en los niveles salivales de TNF-α, IL-1β e IL-10. Las concentraciones de nitrato fueron marcadamente aumentó en pacientes con OLP (1227,0 ± 738,8 µM/mg de proteína total), en comparación con HV (261,6 ± 166,8 µM/mg; p<0,0001). Los niveles de cortisol salival también fueron más altos en los pacientes con OLP que en los controles (2,79 ± 1,39 vs. 1,94 ±1,21 ng/mg; p<0,048). Los niveles de óxido nítrico en saliva aumentaron notablemente en pacientes con OLP, lo que sugiere una relación de esta molécula con la muerte celular y el daño tisular observado en las lesiones de OLP.

Protective effect of trans-nerolidol on vascular endothelial cell injury induced by lipopolysaccharides / Efectos protectores del trans-nerolidol en lesiones inducidas por lipopolisacáridos en células endoteliales vasculares

This article aimed to discuss the protection of trans - nerolidol on vascular endothelial cells (ECs) injured by lipopolysac charides. ECs were divided into four groups: normal, model, low and high dose trans - nerolidol treatment groups. The cell survival rate and the contents of NO in the cell culture supernatant were determined. The protein expression and transcript level of pe roxisome proliferator - activated receptor - γ (PPARγ), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were determined by western blotting and RT - PCR respectively. Compared with the normal group, cell livability, protein e xpression and mRNA transcript level of PPARγ and eNOS decreased, NO contents, protein expression and mRNA transcript tlevel of iNOS increased in model group significantly. Compared with model group, all the changes recovered in different degree in treatmen t groups. Hence, it was concluded that trans - nerolidol can alleviate the ECs injuryby the regulation of iNOS/eNOS through activating PPARγ in a dose - dependent manner

Este artículo tiene como objetivo discutir la protección del trans - nerolidol en las células endoteliales vasculares (CE) dañadas por lipopolisacáridos. Las CE se di vidieron en cuatro grupos: normal, modelo, grupos de tratamiento con trans - nerolidol de baja y alta dosis. Se determinó la tasa de supervivencia de las células y los contenidos de óxido nítrico (NO) en el sobrenadante del cultivo celular. La expresión de p roteínas y el nivel de transcripción del receptor activado por proliferadores de peroxisomas - γ (PPARγ), el óxido nítrico sint et asa endotelial (eNOS) y el óxido nítrico sint et asa inducible (iNOS) se determinaron mediante western blot y RT - PCR, respectivamen te. En comparación con el grupo normal, la viabilidad celular, la expresión de proteínas y el nivel de transcripción de PPARγ y eNOS disminuyeron, los contenidos de NO, la expresión de proteínas y el nivel de transcripción de iNOS aumentaron significativam ente en el grupo modelo. En comparación con el grupo modelo, todos los cambios se recuperaron en diferentes grados en los grupos de tratamiento. Por lo tanto, se concluyó que el trans - nerolidol puede aliviar el daño en las CE regulando iNOS/eNOS a través d e la activación de PPARγ de manera dependiente de la dosis.

Comparative Antioxidant and Phytochemical Evaluation of Selected Varieties of Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott Leaves

Sree Kiran, Sree Rashmi, Sree Pallavi, and Muktakeshi are the four commonly cultivated varieties of Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott. The current study aims to perform phytochemical screening and the antioxidant capacity of the leaf extracts of these varieties. Furthermore, LCMS was used to examine the polyphenolic content of Muktakeshi's ethanolic leaf extract. The phytochemical analysis of the cultivars indicated that all extracts contained beneficial phytocompounds like phenols, terpenoids, flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, and tannins. The ethanolic leaf extract of Muktakeshi was found to have greater levels of total phenol (39.47±0.47 GAE mg/g) and flavonoid (49.672±0.15 QE mg/g) contents. All the leaf extracts exhibited a moderate antioxidant ability, whereas the ethanolic extract of Muktakeshi exhibited comparatively higher antioxidant potential in both DPPH (88.3±0.58%) and nitric oxide (84.6±0.79%) assays with the least IC50 value. The LCMS studies detected eight polyphenolic compounds like quercetin, kaempferol, gallic acid, caffeic acid, luteolin 7-rutinoside, chlorogenic acid, vitexin, and rutin in the ethanolic leaf extract of Muktakeshi. It is a good source of many potentially effective bioactive compounds and helps to prevent human oxidative stress-associated diseases. The present study found considerable variations in the phenol-flavonoid content and antioxidant properties of the Colocasia varieties studied.

Expresión transcripcional de receptores tipo Toll y citoquinas proinflamatorias en macrófagos infectados con Leishmania braziliensis nativa / Transcriptional expression of Toll-like receptors and proinflammatory cytokines in macrophages infected with native Leishmania braziliensis

RESUMEN Introducción. El receptor de tipo Toll (TLR) que interactúe con el promastigote de Leishmania spp. determina la vía de activación celular. Objetivo. Identificar la expresión transcripcional de TLR-3, TLR-4, TLR-9, IL-12 y TNF-α en macrófagos infectados con una cepa nativa de L. braziliensis (Lbn). Métodos. La identificación de Lbn se hizo empleando qPCR para secuencias del DNA del cinetoplasto. Los macrófagos peritoneales de ratones fueron infectados con promastigotes y se midieron la producción de óxido nítrico (ON). Se cuantificaron los niveles transcripcionales para TLRs y citoquinas empleando qRT-PCR. Resultados. Lbn presentó 96% de homología con L. braziliensis. En los infectados con promastigotes se observó elevada producción de ON a las 2 h; significativa expresión transcripcional especialmente de TLR-3 y TLR-9 que se correspondió con la expresión para citoquinas. Conclusión. Lbn activó fuertemente a los macrófagos mediante los TLRs endosomales lo cual puede ser aplicado en el diseño de agonistas para tratar la enfermedad.

ABSTRACT Introduction. The Toll-like receptor (TLR) interacting with the promastigote of Leishmania spp. determines the cellular activation pathway. Objective. To determine the transcriptional expression of TLR-3, TLR-4, TLR-9, IL-12 and TNF-α in macrophages infected with a native strain of L. braziliensis (Lbn). Materials and Methods. Identification of Lbn was performed by qPCR for kinetoplast DNA sequences. Mouse peritoneal macrophages were infected with promastigotes (MI) and nitric oxide (NO) production was measured; transcript levels for TLRs and cytokines were quantified by qRT-PCR. Results. Lbn showed 96% homology to L. braziliensis. High ON production was observed in IMs at 2 h; significant transcriptional expression especially of TLR-3 and TLR-9, which corresponded with expression for cytokines. Conclusions. Lbn strongly activated macrophages via endosomal TLRs, which can be applied in the design of agonists to treat the disease.

Adjuvant-induced arthritis promotes vascular hyporesponsiveness to phenylephrine through a nitric oxide-related mechanism

Arthritis has important cardiovascular repercussions. Phenylephrine-induced vasoconstriction is impaired in rat aortas in the early phase of the adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA), around the 15th day post-induction. Therefore, the present study aimed to verify the effects of AIA on hyporesponsiveness to phenylephrine in rat aortas. AIA was induced by intradermal injection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (3.8 mg/dL) in the right hind paw of male Wistar rats (n=27). Functional experiments in isolated aortas were carried out 15 days after AIA induction. Morphometric and stereological analyses of the aortas were also performed 36 days after the induction of AIA. AIA did not promote structural modifications in the aortas at any of the time points studied. AIA reduced phenylephrine-induced contraction in endothelium-intact aortas, but not in endothelium-denuded aortas. However, AIA did not change KCl-induced contraction in either endothelium-intact or denuded aortas. L-NAME (non-selective NOS inhibitor), 1400W (selective iNOS inhibitor), and ODQ (guanylyl cyclase inhibitor) reversed AIA-induced hyporesponsiveness to phenylephrine in intact aortas. 7-NI (selective nNOS inhibitor) increased the contraction induced by phenylephrine in aortas from AIA rats. In summary, the hyporesponsiveness to phenylephrine induced by AIA was endothelium-dependent and mediated by iNOS-derived NO through activation of the NO-guanylyl cyclase pathway.

AN ASSESSMENT OF THE RELATIVE ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF BARK EXTRACTS OF ACACIA CATECHU BY IN VITRO FREE RADICAL SCAVENGING ANALYSIS

Objective: The objective of this research was to examine and compare the capacity of several bark extracts of Acacia catechu to scavenge nitric oxide (NO) free radicals. The study also examined the evaluation of variations in concentration that are reliant on both concentration levels and seasonal changes, using samples obtained throughout various seasons over a span of two consecutive years.Methods: In this study, six extracts were made utilizing solvents, including ethanol, methanol, aqueous solution, acetone, chloroform, and benzene. In the in vitro investigation, a nitric oxide (NO) assay was conducted to evaluate the free radical scavenging efficacy of the test samples.Results: Out of seven tested sample concentrations, 15.25 µg/ml was reported to be ineffective; higher than 500 µg/ml concentrations (i.e., 705 and 1000) were observed to be less effective than their lower concentrations, while 31.5–500 µg/ml drug concentrations were observed to be protective. Among these three, 125 µg/ml concentrations were found to be most effective (p<0.01 or more). In solvent-based results, methanolic, ethanolic, aqueous, and acetone extracts exhibited at least p<0.01 significant effective NO scavenging, but acetone extract was seen to have comparatively less protection (p<0.05) than the other three extracts. Chloroform and benzene extracts, respectively, showed less protection. Samples collected in the summer season showed greater protection than winter and Manson.Conclusion: This study provided a clear observation of the impact of extraction solvent, concentration of drug, and season of sample collection on in vitro free radical scavenging potential. These data could help provide possible applications for regional plants for medicinal purposes.

Preparation and in vitro evaluation of polylactic acid nanoparticles containing arginine and glucose oxidase / 药学学报

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and nitric oxide (NO) has a short half-life, low bioavailability, poor tumor targeting and systemic adverse reactions in the physiological environment. In this study, phacoemulsification and nano-precipitation were used to synthesize didecyl dimethyl ammonium bromide (DDAB)/polylactic acid nanoparticles (PLA), then L-arginine (L-Arg) and glucose oxidase (GOx)-loaded nanoparticles (GADP) were prepared, and the in vitro antitumor activity was investigated．The particle size, potential, embedding rate and the ability to produce H2O2/NO of the nanoparticles were investigated. Meanwhile, in vitro cell cytotoxicity against human hepatoma cells (HepG2) was evaluated．The results showed that the prepared L-Arg-DDAB/PLA (ADP) nanoparticles were spherical particles. And the particle size and zeta potential were (225.7 ± 6.33) nm and (+23.5 ± 0.12) mV, respectively. The adsorption rate of GOx was 87.23% ± 0.02%. The drug loading of L-Arg was 15.6% ± 0.22%. The pH value of glucose solution and the amount of H2O2 showed that GADP had good catalytic activity. In vitro cytotoxicity experiments showed that blank nanoparticles were nontoxic, while the drug-loaded nanoparticles presented enhanced antitumor effect on HepG2 cells. And can inhibit tumor cell migration. The low dose nano-scale NO delivery system GADP can effectively inhibit the migration of tumor cells and kill tumor cells, thus producing therapeutic benefits.

Acute effects of air pollution on pulmonary function and exhaled nitric oxide in children in Shanghai / 上海预防医学

ObjectiveTo investigate the acute effects of compound air pollution on children’s respiratory function. MethodsUsing panel group study design， 223 students in five classes of grade 4 from two primary schools （a， b） in Xuhui and Hongkou districts of Shanghai were randomly selected to measure pulmonary function and exhaled nitric oxide （FeNO）. The first three tests were carried out from May to June in 2020， and the fourth test was carried out from September to December in 2021. At the same time， the daily and hourly mean values of PM2.5， PM10， SO2， NO2， O3 and CO was collected from the nearby air quality monitoring points of the two schools during the same period ， as well as meteorological monitoring data （temperature， humidity， wind speed and atmospheric pressure）. The linear mixed effect model was used to analyze the effects of air pollution on pulmonary function and respiratory inflammation in the summer. ResultsThe results of single pollutant model showed that PM2.5， PM10， SO2 and NO2 were positively correlated with FeNO， and the effect was reflected in lag0， lag1 and lag3 （P<0.05）. PM2.5， PM10 and NO2 were negatively correlated with the changes of lung function FEF25%， FEF50%， FEF75%， FeF25%-75%， PEF， FVC， FEV1 and FEV1/FVC， and the effect was reflected in lag0 to lag3 days （P<0.05）. The results of the dual pollutant model showed that the concentration changes of SO2 and NO2 were significantly correlated with the decrease of FEV1 when combined with O3 or PM2.5 （P<0.01）， and the concentration changes of PM2.5 was significantly correlated with the increase of FeNO when O3， SO2 and NO2 were combined respectively （P<0.01）. The effects of the dual pollutant model were greater than the effect of PM2.5 single pollutant model. ConclusionThe health effects of different air pollutants on children’s respiratory tract function indexes in summer are different. The combined effects of two pollutants on the lung function of children increased to different degrees. Although air pollution is light in summer， it still has an impact on children’s respiratory tract function index and inflammation index， and the combined effect of dual pollutants is more significant than that of single pollutant.

Effect of L-carnitine combined with citicoline on the therapeutic effect of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and serum NO and ET-1 / 国际检验医学杂志

Objective To explore the effects of L-carnitine combined with citicoline on the therapeutic effect of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy(NHIE)and serum nitric oxide(NO)and endothelin-1(ET-1).Methods A total of 95 children with HIE admitted to the hospital from April 2020 to January 2023 were selected and were divided into observation group(47 cases)and control group(48 cases)by random number table method.The control group was given citicoline,and the observation group was given citicoline combined with L-carnitine.The therapeutic effect was evaluated on 14 days after treatment,and the recovery time of original reflex,muscle tone and consciousness was calculated.The levels of oxidative stress indexes[malondialdehyde(MDA),superoxide dismutase(SOD)]and vascular endothelial function indexes(NO,ET-1)were detected before treatment and 14 days after treatment.Neonatal neurobehavioral score(NBNA)was used to evaluate the neurological function of the children,and the safety of the treatment regimen was ob-served.Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between NBNA and vascular endothe-lial function indexes.Results The total effective rate in the observation group was 91.49％,which was higher than 72.92％in the control group(P＜0.05).The original reflex recovery time,muscle tone recovery time and consciousness recovery time of NHIE children in the observation group were shorter than those in the control group(P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in NBNA scores between the two groups before treatment(t=1.225,P=0.224).After treatment,the NBNA score in the observation group was higher than that in the control group(t=6.223,P＜0.001).After treatment,MDA level decreased and SOD level in-creased in two groups(P＜0.05).After treatment,the level of MDA in the observation group was lower than that in the control group,while the level of SOD was higher than that in the control group(P＜0.05).After treatment,the levels of NO and ET-1 were decreased in both groups(P＜0.05).The levels of NO and ET-1 in the observation group were lower than those in the control group after treatment(P＜0.05).The adverse drug reaction rates in observation group and control group were 17.02％and 8.33％,respectively,and there was no significant difference between two groups(P＞0.05).Pearson correlation analysis showed that serum NO,ET-1 and NBNA score in NHIE children were negatively correlated(r=-0.546,-0.608,P＜0.05).Conclusion L-carnitine combined with citicoline could improve the therapeutic effect of NHIE,shorten the re-covery time of clinical manifestations,and improve nerve function,oxidative stress and vascular endothelial function without increasing drugs and adverse reactions.In addition,vascular endothelial function indexes are negatively correlated with NBNA score,which could be used as auxiliary reference indexes for judging NHIE.

Role of endothelial nitric oxide synthase in exercise preconditioning-induced improvement of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Exercise is an effective strategy to prevent and treat various cardiovascular diseases and protect the heart from ischemia-reperfusion injury.Its mechanism of action needs to be studied in depth. OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of aerobic exercise preconditioning on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury and to explore the effect of endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS)activation(including coupling and phosphorylation). METHODS:Eighty adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into sedentary(n=40)and exercise(n=40)groups.The rats in the exercise group were subjected to aerobic exercise for 8 weeks while those in the sedentary group were quietly fed and caged.After 8 weeks of intervention,three experiments were performed.(1)Experiment 1:After the last training,cardiac function,cardiac nitric oxide metabolite content and cardiac eNOS,phosphorylated eNOS-S1177,eNOS dimer and eNOS monomer protein expression levels were detected.(2)Experiment 2:Rats were divided into sedentary control group,exercise control group,sedentary+eNOS inhibitor group,exercise+eNOS inhibitor group,all of which were subjected to an in vitro myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury experiment.eNOS inhibitor was continuously infused into the sedentary+eNOS inhibitor group and exercise+eNOS inhibitor group 10 minutes before reperfusion,and cardiac function and myocardial infarction area were detected 3 hours after reperfusion.(3)Experiment 3:Rats were divided into sedentary control group,exercise control group,sedentary+eNOS coupler group and exercise+eNOS coupler group,all of which were subjected to an in vitro myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury experiment.The rats in the sedentary+eNOS coupler group and exercise+eNOS coupler group were treated with eNOS coupler.Myocardial infarct area,cardiac nitric oxide metabolite content,cardiac protein expression of eNOS,phosphorylated eNOS-S1177,eNOS dimer,eNOS monomer and 3-nitrotyrosine were detected 3 hours after reperfusion.The phosphorylated eNOS-S1177/eNOS ratio reflected the phosphorylated/dephosphorylated level of eNOS and eNOS dimer/monomer ratio reflected eNOS coupling/uncoupling level. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Experiment 1:Compared with the sedentary group,the exercise group had increased cardiac output and left ventricular ejection fraction(P<0.05),increased nitrite and S-nitrosothiol contents(P<0.05),upregulated phosphorylated eNOS-S1177,eNOS protein expression and phosphorylated eNOS-S1177/eNOS ratio(P<0.05),eNOS dimer protein expression and eNOS dimer/monomer ratios were elevated(P<0.05).Experiment 2:Compared with the sedentary control group,left ventricular development pressure increased(P<0.05)and myocardial infarct area decreased(P<0.05)in the exercise control group.Compared with the exercise control group,left ventricular development pressure decreased(P<0.05)and myocardial infarct area increased(P<0.05)in the exercise+eNOS inhibitor group.Experiment 3:Compared with the sedentary control group,the exercise control group had increased left ventricular developmental pressure(P<0.05),decreased myocardial infarct area(P<0.05),decreased phosphorylated eNOS-S1177/eNOS ratio(P<0.05),decreased eNOS dimer/monomer ratio(P<0.05),increased S-nitrosothiol content(P<0.05),and decreased 3-nitrotyrosine protein expression(P<0.05).Compared with the exercise control group,the exercise+eNOS coupler group had decreased left ventricular developmental pressure(P<0.05),increased myocardial infarct area(P<0.05),increased phosphorylated eNOS-S1177/eNOS ratio(P<0.05),increased eNOS dimer/monomer ratio(P<0.05),and elevated 3-nitro tyrosine protein expression(P<0.05).To conclude,aerobic exercise preconditioning could induce cardioprotection,which is related to uncoupling and dephosphorylation of eNOS during cardiac ischemia-reperfusion,thereby inhibiting the excessive production of nitric oxide and reducing nitro-oxidative stress.

Anti-inflammatory effect of Celastrol in the ocular tissues of mice with exper-imental autoimmune uveitis and its impact on microglia polarization / 眼科新进展

Objective To investigate the anti-inflammatory action of Celastrol in the ocular tissues of mice with ex-perimental autoimmune uveitis(EAU)and its effect on microglia polarization.Methods A total of 36 healthy B10.RⅢmice at 6-8 weeks of age were selected and randomly divided into the normal control group,EAU solvent control group and Celastrol intervention group,with 12 mice in each group.The interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein(IRBP)161-180 and Freund's complete adjuvant were mixed by thorough emulsification and injected subcutaneously into the bilateral thighs and tails of mice in the EAU solvent control group and the Celastrol intervention group with a total volume of 200 μL and 50 μg IRBP 161-180 in each mouse.On 7-14 days after immunization,mice in the Celastrol intervention group received a daily intraperitoneal injection of 0.5 mg·kg-1 Celastrol,and mice in the EAU solvent control group were injected with an equivalent dose of sterile Phosphate Buffered Saline solution.On the 14th day after immunization,the anterior segment of mice in each group was observed by slit-lamp microscope and Hematoxylin and Eosin(HE)staining of tissue sections was performed;the clinical and histopathological scores of mice in each group were obtained by reference to the Caspi grading standards;immunofluorescence staining was used to observe the activation of microglia in the eyes of mice;Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS)and arginase-1(Argl)in the reti-na;quantitative real-time PCR was used to detect the relative mRNA expression of inflammatory factors in the retina,such as tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α,interleukin(IL)-1β and IL-6.GraphPad Prism 9.0 was used for data analysis.Results On the 14th day after immunization,it was observed by the slit-lamp microscope that the anterior segment of mice in the EAU solvent control group was markedly congested with dilated iris blood vessels,corneal edema,and anterior chamber exudation;the inflammation in the anterior segment of mice in the Celastrol intervention group was markedly at-tenuated,and the iris blood vessels were seen to be mildly congested.Compared with the normal control group,the clini-cal scores of mice in the EAU solvent control group and the Celastrol intervention group were significantly elevated(both P＜0.05);the clinical scores of mice in the Celastrol intervention group were lower than those in the EAU solvent control group(P＜0.05).HE staining results showed that on the 14th day after immunization,mice in the EAU solvent control group showed severe retinal folds and detachment with diffuse infiltration of inflammatory cells,while mice in the Celastrol intervention group showed slight structural damage to the retina and a small amount of inflammatory cell infiltration.Com-pared with the normal control group,the histopathological scores of mice in the EAU solvent control group and the Celas-trol intervention group were significantly elevated(both P＜0.05);the histopathological scores of mice in the Celastrol in-tervention group were lower than those in the EAU solvent control group(P＜0.05).The intraocular Iba1+cell densities of mice in the normal control,EAU solvent control and Celastrol intervention groups were(1.00±0.12)％,(36.07± 4.57)％,and(1.83±0.36)％,respectively.Compared with the normal control group,the number of Iba1+cells in the eyes of mice in the EAU solvent control group and the Celastrol intervention group significantly increased(both P＜0.05);compared with the EAU solvent control group,the number of Iba1+cells in the eyes of mice in the Celastrol intervention group was significantly reduced(P＜0.05).Compared with the normal control group,the expression levels of iNOS and Arg1 proteins in the retinas of mice in the EAU solvent control group were significantly elevated(both P＜0.01);compared with the EAU solvent control group,the expression of iNOS protein in the retinas of mice in the Celastrol intervention group was significantly reduced(P＜0.01).Compared with the normal control group,the relative mRNA expressions of TNF-α.IL-1β,and IL-6 in the retinas of mice in the EAU solvent control group was significantly elevated(all P＜0.05);compared with the EAU solvent control group,the relative mRNA expressions of TNF-α,IL-1 β,and IL-6 in the retinas of mice in the Celastrol intervention group significantly decreased(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Celastrol inhibits Ml microglia activation and reduces the production of retinal inflammatory factors TNF-α,IL-1 β and IL-6 in EAU mice,thereby attenuating the in-flammatory reaction.

Role of nNOS-NOS1AP coupling in remifentanil-induced hyperalgesia in rats / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the role of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS)-nitric oxide synthase 1 adaptor protein (NOS1AP) coupling in remifentanil-induced hyperalgesia in rats.Methods:Forty clean-grade healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 240-260 g, aged 2-3 months, were divided into 4 groups ( n=10 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C), remifentanil group (group R), nNOS-NOS1AP inhibitor ZLc002 group (group C+ Z) and remifentanil + ZLc002 group (group R+ Z). Normal saline was intravenously infused at a rate of 0.1 ml·kg -1·min -1 for 60 min in C group. Remifentanil was intravenously infused at a rate of 1.0 μg·kg -1·min -1 for 60 min in R group. ZLc002 10 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected for 3 consecutive days, and then normal saline 0.1 ml·kg -1·min -1 and remifentanil 1.0 μg·kg -1·min -1 were intravenously infused for 60 min in C+ Z group and R+ Z group. The mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal paw withdrawal latency (TWL) were measured at 24 h before intravenous infusion and 6, 24 and 48 h after intravenous infusion (T 0-3). All the rats were sacrificed after the last measurement of pain thresholds, and the L 4-6 segments of the spinal cord were removed for determination of the expression of nNOS, NOS1AP and Dexamethasone-induced Ras-related protein 1 (Dexras1) protein and mRNA using the real-time polymerase chain reaction. Nitrosylated proteins were extracted by biotin conversion for determination of the expression of nNOS, NOS1AP and total and nitrosylated Dexras1 (by Western blot) and co-expression of nNOS-NOS1AP (by co-immunoprecipitation). The content of NO in the spinal cord was measured. Results:Compared with group C, the MWT was significantly decreased, and the TWL was shortened at T 1-3, the expression of nNOS and NOS1AP protein and mRNA was up-regulated, the co-expression of nNOS-NOS1AP and NO production were increased, and the expression of nitrosylated Dexras1 was up-regulated in group R ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in each aforementioned parameter in group C+ Z ( P>0.05). Compared with group R, the MWT was significantly increased, and the TWL was prolonged at T 1-3, the co-expression of nNOS-NOS1AP and NO production were decreased, the expression of nitrosylated Dexras1 was down-regulated ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the expression of nNOS and NOS1AP protein and mRNA in group R+ Z ( P>0.05). There were no significant differences in total Dexras1 protein and mRNA expression among the four groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:The mechanism by which remifentanil induces hyperalgesia may be related to up-regulating the expression of nNOS and NOS1AP in the spinal cord, promoting interaction between nNOS and NOS1AP and mediating NO generation and Dexras1 nitrosylation modification in rats.

The effects of aerobic exercise on endothelial nitric oxide synthase uncoupling in the myocardium of spontaneously hypertensive rats / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective:To observe any effect of regular aerobic exercise on cardiac remodeling in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and explore the mechanism of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) uncoupling.Methods:Thirty 6-week-old healthy male SHR were divided into a sedentary group and an exercise group, each of 15. Another ten age- and sex-matched Wistar-Kyoto rats were set as a normal control group. The animals in the normal control and sedentary groups were fed quietly in their cages, and those in the exercise group performed moderate intensity treadmill exercise for 8 weeks (5 times per week). Forty-eight hours after the last training, echocardiography was applied to document cardiac structure and function in both groups. Wheat germ agglutinin staining and Picrosirius Red staining were used to obtain the cardiomyocyte cross sectional areas (CSAs) and interstitial collagen volume fractions (CVFs) of all of the mice. The rates of cardiomyocyte apoptosis were measured using TUNEL staining, and myocardial tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) content was measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. Total eNOS, eNOS dimer and eNOS monomer protein expression in the myocardia were detected using western blotting.Results:Compared with the normal control group, the left ventricular wall thickness (LVWT), myocardial CSA, CVF, apoptosis of cardiomyocytes and eNOS monomer levels were significantly higher in the sedentary group, on average. But the end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) and ejection fraction (LVEF) of the left ventricle and the levels of eNOS dimer and myocardial BH4 and the eNOS dimer/monomer ratio tended to be lower. Comparing the exercise group with the sedentary group, the average LVEDD, LVEF, eNOS dimer, eNOS dimer/monomer ratio and myocardial BH4 content were significantly higher in the exercise group, but the myocardial CVF, cardiomyocyte apoptosis and eNOS monomer levels were significantly lower. LVWT and CSA were not significantly different. There were no significant differences in the total eNOS protein levels among the three groups.Conclusion:Regular aerobic exercise might improve cardiac remodeling in cases of spontaneous hypertension regulating eNOS uncoupling, at least in rats.

Efficacy of low-dose inhaled nitric oxide in the treatment of severe hypoxemia after Sun’soperation: A retrospective cohort study / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective To investigate the efficacy of low-dose inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) in the treatment of severe hypoxemia after Sun’s operation. Methods The clinical data of patients undergoing Sun’s operation for acute Type A aortic dissection in our hospital from January 2020 to June 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients who received conventional treatment before November 2021 were enrolled as a control group. After November 2021, iNO was used in our hospital, and the patients who received iNO as an iNO group. The preoperative clinical baseline data, perioperative clinical data and oxygenation index were compared between the two groups. Results A total of 54 patients were included in the control group, including 45 males and 9 females, with an average age of 53.0±10.9 years. A total of 27 patients were included in the iNO group, including 21 males and 6 females, with an average age of 52.0±10.6 years. The preoperative body mass index of the two groups was greater than 25 kg/m2, white blood cell count, C-reactive protein were significantly higher than normal level, but there was no statistical difference between the groups (P＞0.05). There were no statistical differences in intraoperative data between the two groups (P＞0.05). The iNO group had significantly shorter duration of mechanical ventilation, postoperative ICU stay, and postoperative hospital stay than the control group (P<0.001). After 12 h of iNO treatment, hypoxic condition improved obviously, oxygenation indices in 12 h, 24 h, 36 h,48 h, 60 h and 72 h in the iNO group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion The treatment of severe hypoxemia after Sun’s surgery with low-dose of iNO is safe and effective, can significantly improve oxygenation function, and has significant advantages in shortening ventilator use time, postoperative ICU stay and postoperative hospital stay, but it is not significant in changing postoperative mortality.

Serum interleukin-33 combined with FEF75% z-score and FeNO improves the diagnostic accuracy of asthma in children

Abstract Objective To investigate the diagnostic efficacy of serum IL-33 single indicator and combined indicators for asthma in children. Methods 132 children were initially diagnosed with asthma during acute exacerbation and 100 healthy children were included. Serum IL-33 concentration differences were compared between asthmatic and normal children. Correlations between IL-33 with pulmonary function parameters, FeNO, peripheral blood EOS counts and serum total IgE were analyzed in asthmatic children. ROC curves were used to assess IL-33 diagnostic efficacy and its combined indicators. To prevent overfitting of the predictive model, the hold-out cross-validation method was used. Results (1) Serum IL-33 concentrations were significantly higher in children with asthma than in normal children (p < 0.001). (2) IL-33 concentration was negatively correlated with FVC z-score, FEV1 z-score and FEF75% z-score in asthmatic children (p < 0.05). (3) The area under the ROC curve of IL-33 was 0.821, which was higher than those of FeNO, FVC z-score, and FEV1 z-score. (4) Cross-validation of the combined indicators showed that IL-33 significantly improved asthma diagnostic efficacy. The combination of IL-33, FEF75% z-score, and FeNO showed the highest diagnostic efficacy, with the AUC, sensitivity, and specificity of the combined indicator being 0.954, 90.1%, and 89. 0%, respectively, and good extrapolation of the predictive model. Conclusion Serum IL-33 is higher in children with asthma and increases with the severity of pulmonary ventilation obstruction. A single indicator of serum IL-33 demonstrates moderate diagnostic accuracy, and its combination with FEF75% z-score and FeNO significantly improves the diagnostic accuracy in childhood asthma.

Avaliação do perfil de citocinas séricas e óxido nítrico na hanseníase experimental murina / Evaluation of the serum cytokines profile and nitric oxide in experimental murine leprosy

Introdução: a hanseníase é uma do-ença infecciosa crônica causada pelo Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae), um para-sita intracelular obrigatório. Assim, a resis-tência do hospedeiro a esse patógeno depen-de da imunidade celular. O uso de modelos experimentais tem permitido o estudo da hanseníase do ponto de vista imunológico, microbiológico e terapêutico, entretanto, as diferenças na progressão da infecção entre os modelos mais empregados (camundongos imunocompetentes, BALB/c, e camundongos congenitamente atímicos, nude) são pouco estudadas. Objetivo: comparar a evolução da infecção pelo M. leprae em camundongos BALB/c e nude quanto à multi-plicação bacilar e avaliação do perfil inflamatório sistêmico pela quantificação sérica de citocinas e óxido nítrico (NO). Métodos: os camundongos foram inoculados com M. leprae nos coxins plantares e avaliados aos 3, 5 e 8 meses após a infecção. Resultados: camundongos nude apresentaram multiplicação bacilar progressiva nos coxins plantares. Em camundongos BALB/c, o número de bacilos foi maior aos 5 meses. Em relação à quantificação de citocinas, nos camundongos BALB/c houve aumento de IL-2 e IL-17A e diminuição de IL-6 e NO aos 8 meses de inoculação. Nos camundongos nude, verificou-se o aumento do TNF aos 8 meses de inoculação e manutenção dos níveis de NO. Conclusão: os resultados encontrados sugerem que em camundongos BALB/c ocorre a ativação de uma resposta imune capaz de controlar a multiplicação do M. leprae, em contrapartida em camundongos nude a infecção é progressiva a despeito de altos níveis de TNF. (AU)

Introduction: leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae), an obligate intracellular parasite. Thus, host resistance to this pathogen depends on cellular immunity. The use of experimental models has made it possible to study leprosy from an immunological, microbiological, and therapeutic point of view. However, the differences in the progression of the infection between the most used models (immunocompetent mice, BALB/c, and congenitally athymic mice, nude) have been little studied. Objective: to compare the evolution of M. leprae infection in BALB/c and nude mice in terms of bacillary multiplication and evaluation of the systemic inflammatory profile by quantifying serum cytokines and nitric oxide (NO). Methods: the mice were inoculated with M. leprae in the footpads and evaluated at 3, 5, and 8 months after infection. Results: nude mice showed progressive bacillary multiplication in the footpads. In BALB/c mice, the number of bacilli was higher at 5 months. In terms of cytokine quantification, BALB/c mice showed an increase in IL-2 and IL-17A and a decrease in IL-6 and NO at 8 months of inoculation. In the nude mice, there was an increase in TNF at 8 months of inoculation and maintenance of NO levels. Conclusion: the results suggest that BALB/c mice activate an immune response capable of controlling the multiplication of M. leprae, whereas in nude mice the infection is progressive despite high levels of TNF. (AU)

Photobiomodulation effects on synovial morphology, iNOS gene, and protein expression in a model of acute inflammation

Purpose: To evaluate morphological aspects and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene and protein expression in a model of acute inflammation. Methods: Thirty-six female Wistar rats were assigned into three groups: control (saline, n = 12), sham (arthritis, n = 12), and PBM (arthritis and photobiomodulation, n = 12). Arthritis induction was performed with 200 µg of intra-articular Zymosan in sham and PBM animals. PBM was performed 24 h after induction with a laser device (λ = 808 nm, 25 mW of nominal power, fluence of 20 J/cm2, beam area of 0.02 mm2, time of 33 s, total energy of 0.825 J) with punctual and single dose application. Morphological analysis of joint structure (HE) and immunohistochemistry (anti-iNOS antibody) were performed on knee samples, and synovial tissue was submitted to RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis and gene expression analysis by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Statistical analyses were performed with p < 0.05. Results: It was observed an increase in the thickness of the synovial lining epithelium and inflammatory infiltrate in sham compared to PBM. Gene expression analysis showed higher iNOS expression in PBM, and iNOS protein expression decreased in PBM compared to sham. Conclusions: Photobiomodulation decreased inflammation in PBM animals, upregulated iNOS gene expression, however down egulated protein expression compared to sham.

The role of blood nitric oxide level in predicting return of spontaneous circulation: a prospective case-control study

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is a difference in serum nitric oxide levels between patients who return spontaneously after cardiopulmonary resuscitation and those who do not. We also examined the potential of using serum nitric oxide levels as a marker to make an accurate decision about patient survival. METHODS: We included 100 consecutive patients who were brought to the emergency clinic due to cardiac arrest. Blood samples were taken from these patients at admission, 30 min after admission, and when resuscitation was terminated. RESULTS: We found that there was a significant difference in NO1 and NO3 values between the group of patients who did not return after cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the group in which spontaneous circulation returned. The NO1 value was significant in the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, while the NO3 value was not. A higher NO1 value provided a higher rate of survival. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that nitric oxide may be a useful parameter to support the decision about patient survival. A higher NO1 value is associated with a better prognosis and survival rate. Therefore, serum nitric oxide levels may be a suitable indicator to support the decision-making process regarding patient survival.

Hymenaea rubriflora Ducke stem bark extract has vasorelaxant and contractile inhibition capacity

Abstract We investigated the vasodilatory effects of Hymenaea rubriflora Ducke stem bark extract (HRHAc). Vascular reactivity of the aortic rings of Wistar rats was tested by in vitro cumulative doses (0.1 - 729 µg/mL). Rats (n=5) were treated with 25 (G25), 50 (G50) and 100 (G100) mg/ kg of HR-HAc or saline (control group - CG) for four weeks. An in vitro assay resulted in dose-dependent relaxation of the aortic rings with functional endothelium, which was inhibited in the presence of L-NAME. Rings of the treated animals increased acetylcholine relaxing potency at all doses, with a greater effect on G50 (pD2 = 7.8±0.1, Emax = 95.6±1.1) and a decreased contractile potency to phenylephrine in G25 (pD2 = 6.9±0.06, Emax = 61.5±6.0%) and G50 (pD2= 6.6±0.06, Emax = 71.0±8.5%) when compared to the CG in the presence and absence of endothelium (pD2= 6.4± 0.1, 6.4±0.1 and 6.9±0.1, respectively). Cumulative doses of nitroprusside resulted in increased relaxing potency in all treated groups and maintained Emax at 100%. It is concluded that HR-HAc has vasorelaxant capacity and inhibitory vascular contraction activity applied either directly to aortic rings or after treatment with in vivo supplementation, which places this extract as a potential nutraceutical or pharmacological agent for treating diseases associated with vascular dysfunction.